In the Indian film industry, very few stars command the kind of box office magnetism that Rajinikanth does. His latest film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is proving once again why the Superstar continues to dominate even after decades in cinema. After witnessing a slight dip during its weekdays, Coolie registered a spectacular comeback on its second Saturday, posting a massive 70% jump in collections. With this surge, the film is now inching closer to the monumental ₹250 crore mark in India alone, reaffirming Rajinikanth’s unmatched star power and the enduring appeal of big-screen masala entertainment.
The 10-Day Journey: From Strong Start to Weekend Revival
Coolie opened to packed houses on its release day, benefitting from Rajinikanth’s loyal fanbase and the hype surrounding its collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj, a filmmaker known for his stylish, mass-action storytelling.
- Day 1 (Opening Day): The film exploded at the box office with collections well above expectations, setting a festive tone among fans.
- First Weekend: Riding on fan frenzy, Coolie stormed past the ₹100 crore mark in just three days.
- Weekdays: As is typical, the film saw a drop in footfalls during weekdays, but it maintained steady collections across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.
- Day 10 (Second Saturday): Marking a remarkable rebound, Coolie clocked nearly 70% growth compared to Friday’s numbers, thanks to strong word of mouth and increased family audiences thronging theatres.
The film’s 10-day total is now expected to be just shy of ₹250 crore, with analysts predicting it will cross that milestone comfortably by Sunday or early next week.
Why the Big Jump on Second Saturday?
Several factors contributed to Coolie’s box office resurgence:
- Word of Mouth: Early mixed reviews gave way to stronger appreciation as audiences highlighted the film’s action, Rajinikanth’s charisma, and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s flair for high-octane storytelling.
- Weekend Factor: Families and working professionals who couldn’t catch the film earlier flocked to cinemas on Saturday, boosting collections.
- Fan Re-watches: Rajinikanth’s movies often enjoy repeat viewing, and Coolie is no exception. Die-hard fans returned to theatres, driving up ticket sales.
- Festive Mood: In certain regions, cultural festivities coincided with the weekend, further pushing audiences towards cinema halls.
Rajinikanth’s Star Power: A Force Untouched by Time
At 73, Rajinikanth’s box office pull remains astonishing. Few actors in the world, let alone India, can ensure such numbers regardless of competition, season, or mixed critical reception. Coolie demonstrates that Rajinikanth’s brand of charisma—larger-than-life action, trademark punch dialogues, and mass appeal—continues to resonate across generations.
It’s not just his on-screen presence, but also the emotional connection fans have built with him over decades. Rajinikanth is not just a movie star; he’s a cultural phenomenon. His films often become events in themselves, complete with early morning shows, celebratory rituals, and fan club activities that resemble festivals.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Direction: A Game-Changer
The partnership between Rajinikanth and Lokesh Kanagaraj was one of the most anticipated aspects of Coolie. Lokesh, who has delivered hits like Kaithi, Master, and Vikram, is known for creating stylish action films with cinematic universes and interconnected narratives.
In Coolie, Lokesh retains his flair for staging grand action sequences while tailoring the story to Rajinikanth’s mass image. Critics note that while the screenplay isn’t groundbreaking, it effectively leverages Rajinikanth’s strengths—heroic entrances, one-liners, and larger-than-life moments—ensuring that fans get exactly what they came for.
Box Office Performance Across Regions
The film has performed strongly across India, though certain regions have been standout contributors:
- Tamil Nadu: Naturally, Rajinikanth’s home turf has been the film’s backbone, with houseful shows and extended runs in many theatres.
- Telugu States (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana): Thanks to dubbed versions and Rajinikanth’s established popularity, Coolie has raked in significant numbers here.
- Karnataka & Kerala: Both states have shown robust performance, particularly Bengaluru, where Rajinikanth enjoys massive fan following.
- Hindi Belt: While collections are comparatively lower, the Hindi-dubbed version has shown steady growth, especially in metros like Mumbai and Delhi.
The film’s pan-India performance reaffirms Rajinikanth’s relevance across linguistic boundaries.
The Race Towards ₹250 Crore
As of Day 10, trade analysts estimate Coolie’s domestic box office collection to be in the range of ₹240–245 crore. With Sunday collections expected to surpass Saturday’s, the film is almost certain to cross the ₹250 crore milestone within its second weekend.
This achievement places Coolie among the biggest Tamil films of the year and adds yet another feather to Rajinikanth’s illustrious cap. Industry insiders also believe that the film could eventually cross ₹300 crore if it continues its momentum over the next week.
Overseas Box Office Performance
Beyond Indian shores, Coolie has been performing exceptionally well. Rajinikanth’s films traditionally do strong business in overseas markets with significant Tamil diaspora populations.
- USA & Canada: The film has enjoyed strong advance bookings and is steadily adding to its overseas tally.
- Middle East: With a large South Indian expat base, Coolie has witnessed packed shows.
- Singapore & Malaysia: Both countries, where Rajinikanth commands a cult following, have contributed significantly.
Combined with domestic collections, the worldwide gross is expected to comfortably surpass ₹350 crore in the coming days.
Audience & Critical Response
Audience reception has been more positive than some early reviews suggested. Fans have celebrated Rajinikanth’s mass sequences, emotional subplots, and Lokesh’s stylish presentation. Social media has been flooded with celebratory posts, videos of cheering fans in theatres, and hashtags praising the Superstar’s energy.
Critics, while pointing out flaws in pacing and screenplay, largely agree that Coolie works because it delivers exactly what a Rajinikanth film promises—unadulterated mass entertainment.
What This Means for Kollywood and Pan-India Cinema
The success of Coolie has broader implications:
- Rajinikanth’s Continued Dominance: Even in an era dominated by younger stars, the Superstar remains unchallenged at the box office.
- Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Rising Stock: His ability to direct Rajinikanth in a commercially successful film further cements his status as one of Tamil cinema’s leading directors.
- Kollywood’s Growing Pan-India Reach: Coolie proves that Tamil cinema, when backed by strong star power and stylish direction, can attract audiences nationwide.
- Theatrical Revival: In a post-pandemic era where OTT threatens cinema halls, Coolie shows that theatrical experiences, especially for mass films, remain irreplaceable.
What Lies Ahead for Coolie
With two more weekends before major new releases, Coolie has enough breathing space to maximize its box office run. Trade experts predict the film could:
- Cross ₹300 crore domestic gross in the next week.
- Surpass ₹400 crore worldwide gross if overseas momentum holds strong.
- Enter the list of Top 5 highest-grossing Tamil films ever.
If achieved, these milestones will reaffirm Rajinikanth’s enduring legacy as the ultimate Superstar of Indian cinema.
Conclusion
Rajinikanth’s Coolie is not just a film—it’s a celebration of cinema, fandom, and the magic of a Superstar whose influence transcends generations. Its Day 10 resurgence with a 70% jump at the box office is proof that mass entertainers, when executed with style and star power, continue to dominate the Indian box office.
As Coolie marches towards the ₹250 crore mark in India and beyond, one thing is clear: Rajinikanth’s throne at the box office remains unshaken. For fans, it is another reminder of why watching a Rajinikanth film in theatres is nothing short of a festival.
